Direct Provision was brought in as an emergency measure in 1999, but almost two decades on, GARN says that it is shocked at how little the average Irish person knows about it. So here’s a quick guide to Direct Provision.

(An in-depth diary by one of the speakers at Monday’s public meeting, Vukašin Nedeljkovic, is available here.)

What is Direct Provision?

Under international law, the Irish government is required to provide the basic needs of food and shelter for asylum seekers directly while their claims for refugee status are being processed. This can take over five years.

The government chooses to do this rather rather than provide full cash payments.

Direct provision has been in place for almost 18 years. When it began in 2000, asylum seekers received full board accommodation and personal allowances of €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child per week, but conditions the quality of life in the system have been heavily criticised by human rights organisations.

What are Asylum Seekers given under Direct Provision?

The bare minimum for survival. Asylum Seekers are given accommodation, food and a personal allowance of €21.60 per week.